JANUARY 22, 1938 – MAY 14, 2021
Ronald Lee Fallon was born January 22nd, 1938 in Longmont to James Samuel and Florence M. Fallon. He was raised on the family farm near Mead and began his schooling at Liberty Hall, just down the road. He proudly graduated from the original Mead High School in 1956. He stayed in contact with many classmates through the years and actively participated in class reunions.
He attended CSU, hoping to become a veterinarian, but at age 20, gave up that pursuit to marry Margaret Hoffman (the mother of his 3 children). He worked briefly for the Home Lumber Co., but it became apparent that self-employment would be the best route for him to be happy and support his family. He customized a truck and began a hay hauling business. Building on family and neighborhood contacts, and with the help of his family, he soon had a thriving business. He learned that honest dealings, a keen business acumen and hard work really did pay off.
For decades, he sold hay to hobby farmers out of his barn north of town and delivered hundreds of truckloads to farmers and businesses along the northern front range. When his children were young, Ron was highly active in their 4-H activities as he had been himself as a young teen. He even chose to be the leader of their Club. Eventually he invested in a ranch in North Park, near Walden, raising his own grass hay, buying more from neighboring ranches and selling and trucking it to farmers and ranchers. He began a partnership with his childhood friend, Walter Ayres, in Walden, which they operated together until Walter's death in 1997. He always enjoyed the time spent in Walden and made many long-time friends there. Sidelined several times by injuries, it was his son, Dave, who drove and delivered loads of hay evenings and weekends along with his regular job, to make sure the customers had what they needed.
Later, he began a business partnership with good friend, Ron Alverson, which evolved into other business endeavors, including Mountain View Welding, which is still open today in Longmont. Their partnership lasted several years until Ron Alverson’s death in 2009. He had very definite ideas on almost everything and despite a quick temper was extraordinarily honest, fiercely independent, loyal, and generous to his friends and family, about whom he cared deeply. He worked hard and he played hard, and for too many years he worked more. than he played. He bought a three¬ wheeled motorcycle and rode with friends to California and Canada and spent many hours snowmobiling.
He also managed to fit in multiple fishing trips to Alaska, hunting jaunts throughout the west, visits to Montana, Oregon, California, New England, Texas, Alabama, and Australia. As he phased out work, he enjoyed going to Silver Sneakers at the Y, many activities at the Senior Center including harmonica club, shuffleboard, line dancing and playing cards with friends. He loved going to Branson, organizing many trips there, some for busloads of 50, others for just a carload. Seeing 3 shows a day was his favorite thing and a must for any jaunt to Branson. Ron did not have covid but the effects of the isolation resulting from the pandemic took their toll. He could no longer go to the Y, meet friends for lunch, go out for coffee with a bunch of guys, or engage in other senior activities as most friends were reluctant to even meet to play cards. As so often happens when emotional health takes a hit, physical health follows. ln the past 6 months, there had been numerous hospitalizations and procedures.
Finally, the doctors said, we think we have done all we can do so, as he had asked for so many times, he finally got to go home, with Kathy and Linda and a caregiver making sure he was comfortable until the end. Ron was pre-deceased by his parents, numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, and his former in-laws, Elton, and Winifred Hoffman, whom he looked after until their deaths. Ron is survived by his three children: Dave and his wife Brenda of Longmont; Kathy and her husband, John, of Alabama; and John of Berthoud. He has 6 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and a brand new great-great grandbaby. Also survived by his sister, Cheryl Kiteley, her husband Steve and their daughter, Stefanie, and by his former wife, good friend and caring companion, Linda Austin. He will also be missed by his step-children from his blended-families.
The family would like to thank friends for their prayers and many phone calls of support and express their gratitude to the dedicated caregivers for their many kindnesses. The family requests no flowers. Please consider a donation to Cowboy Christian Fellowship at Rinn United Methodist Church, the Longmont Senior Center, Longmont O.U.R Center or Hospice. Godspeed. A viewing will take place at Ahlberg Funeral Home on Thursday, May 20th from 3-5pm. Memorial Service will take place at Rinn United Methodist Church Friday, May 21st at 1:00 pm
